Springtime on the Outer Banks

As you can imagine life on a barrier island is at the mercy of the weather, which is just fine by us. Seasons change, each with their own definite characteristics that make the Outer Banks special. The one constant? There's something to see and do nearly every day of the year, regardless of the weather. Check out why the OBX is the perfect spot for your Springtime getaway...

April showers bring May flowers and these May flowers blossom during a spectacular event at the Elizabethan Gardens. Cherry Laurel, Carolina Yellow Jasmine, Pansies, Tulips and many more blooms create a beautiful display of nature’s rejuvenation. Your fantasies flourish as you take a stroll through the sunken gardens or wander through the Overlook Terrance. Next door as early Summer arrives, you can find the budding, young talent of the The Lost Colony Outdoor Dramacast, celebrating their 80th season. The Waterside Theater renews America’s oldest mystery into a thriving, lively account of the first attempted English settlement. During those refreshing outdoor showers, the newly renovated Aquarium is open to keep you dry and entertain the entire family.

With warmer weather, the outdoors unthaw and come back to life. Birds begin to fill Pea Island Wildlife Refuge and can be observed during walking tours or you can explore the visitor center, open 7 days a week. Neotropical songbirds return from the West Indies and Central and South America to breed and nest in the maritime shrub. There is nothing more inspiring than blue skies and warm sand to make you want to sing. The Soundside Live Sunset Concert Series brings together musicians, vendors, artists and restaurants to celebrate the change in season. For 3 weeks, celebrate this first ever waterfront music festival in Nags Head.

Winds begin to shift from the North East and waters from the Gulf begin to rise. This airy fluctuation draws in kiteboarders, kitesurfers, surfers and bodyboarders from all over the world in search of “the wave”. The converging Gulf Stream and Labrador Current create the perfect storm of warm water and high swells, the stuff dreams are made of. The Triple-S Invitational and Hang Gliding Spectacular events take full advantage of these pure outdoor elements. Additionally, the sweet-smelling zephyr puts a pep in your step just in time to train for the springtime running events: the Flying Pirate Half Marathon, OBX Duathlon and Nags Head 5k.

As the breeze runs over the ocean inland, many restaurants open their doors and windows for the season. Preparation of the teeming produce and fresh seafood begins to flourish, including the large supply of soft shell crabs. The OBX is one of the first to see these soft shell blue crabs during the early season and is therefore one of the largest suppliers on the East Coast. Catch your own at OBX Shrimping or Crabbing or visit one of the many local seafood markets to curb your appetite.